IV: "The Blackness Grew Deeper" …

It was in May of 1961 that I first learned about Meher Baba from a dear friend of mine named Edward Luck. Edward taught me the "Seven Realities " of Baba, and I soon came to love and know Baba as my Master. Since that May, I have been fortunate to have many spiritual experiences bestowed on me by my Beloved Baba, and I would like to share them with you to give you all, perhaps, an even greater inspiration to find your way to our Master.

It was in July that I had my first wonderful experience. I was with Edward and his brother Irwin in Miami Beach, Florida, and I was reading the book, The Autobiography of a Yogi by Yogananda. As I sat reading the book, I felt an overwhelming desire to lay down, so I did just that. I put the book beside me and closed my eyes, and in the same instant, my hands automatically acquired the yogi position of peace. A great feeling of well-being and happiness came over me, and I could feel Baba's Love starting to penetrate my soul. I began meditating. I just kept saying to myself, over and over, "Oh Baba, Beloved Master, please give me Your Love."

I felt that this alone held my feelings. Much to my delight, the more love I asked for, the more I received, until my whole body was numb and literally burning with the fever of Baba's Divine Love. I soon lost all feeling in my body, and although I knew my gross form existed, and I was aware of it, I could not in any sense associate it with me. I soon was aware that I was not lying where I had been, and I knew I was experiencing my soul high above me. I was in the center of the universe, and the stars glittered all around me, although they seemed to be in the distance. The blackness grew deeper and soon, coming from it were many flashes of bright lights. My whole soul was completely enveloped by Baba's Love, and that is the only sensation I could feel as real. Soon, the flashes of light stopped and from the center of the universe came a spiral. It came closer and closer until it swallowed me completely, and I was turning head over heels.

It was at that time that Edward brought me, inadvertently, out of my meditation. But for days afterward I could feel nothing but Baba's Love pouring through me, and it was the most beautiful and wonderful thing I have ever known.

I have had many experiences since this, some of them in which I am able to hear singing and music from the subtle world, but to me, none can compare with the first experience. It was that, more than anything, that made me know how powerful and wonderful Baba's Love is, and that He is and always will be the Infinite One.

Los Angeles, 1962